FREE summer events in St. Augustine & St. Johns County

Movies by the Bay opens June 1, 2016 and continues each Wednesday through the summer with FREE films on the St. Augustine bayfront near the Bridge of Lions. Photo shows the 2015 movie series. By Renee Unsworth

Summer in St. Augustine means FREE events, such as outdoor films called Movies by the Bay near the Bridge of Lions, live music each week at St. Augustine Beach Pier and in the historic Plaza de la Constitucion in downtown. Another free movie series will be announced soon at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. See the HUGE list below. For the round-up of FREE year-round attractions, click here. To submit an event, email totallystaugustine@gmail.com

MUSIC BY THE SEA

The 14th annual Music by the Sea concert series begins May 11! This is a FREE concert series that is held from 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Oct. 12 at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Pavilion, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. The series features 23 bands playing a wide variety of music including jazz, blues, classic rock, pop, reggae, disco and country. In addition to the music, guests can dine before the show with a different local restaurant each week. All items are priced at $10 or less. Bring a cooler, a beach chair, and get ready for the best entertainment in all of Northeast Florida. Dogs are permitted as long as they are leashed. Admission is always FREE. Go to www.sabca.org

MUSIC BY THE SEA CONCERT SCHEDULE

May 11: Outta Sight Band with Rotageezer and Raintree Restaurant

May 18: Maggie Baugh Band and Smokin D’s BBQ

May 25: Duffy Bishop Blues Band andTerra & Acqua

June 1:Take Cover and Seafood Kitchen

June 8:Str8-Up and Amici Italian Restaurant

June 15: Mid-Life Crisis and By Design Catering

June 22: Catch the Groove and La Strada

June 29: Chillula and Mango Mangos

July 6: Billy Buchanan & Free Avenue and Black Fly the Restaurant

July 13: Jimmy Parrish & The Waves and FA Cafe

July 20: Mr. Natural and Panama Hatties

July 27: The Grapes of Roth and La Petit Pleasures French Bakery

Aug. 3: The Committee and Viola’s Pizza, Pasta & More

Aug. 10: Spanky the Band and Obi’s Fillin Station

Aug. 17: Amy Alysia & Soul Operation and Jasper’s Snack Shack

Aug. 24: Chillikaya and Beachcomber Restaurant

Aug. 31: Those Guys (25th Anniversary) and Purple Olive Restaurant

Sept. 7: JW Gilmore Blues Band and Coquina Beach Club

Sept. 14: Ain’t 2 Proud and Salt Life Food Shack

Sept. 21: Rob Peck & Friends and Red Frog & McToad’s Restaurant

Sept. 28: MBTS All Star Band and South Beach Grill

Oct. 5: Band To Be Announced and Datil Rooster Food Truck

Oct. 12: Band To Be Announced and Sunset Grille Restaurant

CONCERTS IN THE PLAZA

Concerts in the Plaza, St. Augustine’s summer-long music series, returns for its 26th season with live music in a gazebo under ancient oak trees in downtown St. Augustine. The FREE concerts are held in the Plaza de la Constitucion, between King Street and Cathedral Place. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. each Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The schedule is below. Go to plaza concerts.com

Concerts in the Plaza 2016 Schedule

June 2 — The Driftwoods

June 9 — Florida Brass Quintet

June 16 — Mike Hart’s Decoy

June 23 — The Rick Arcusa Band

June 30 — Mid-Life Crisis

July 7 — Bob & Joline and the Friends of Mine Band

July 14 — Ancient City Slickers

July 21 — The Falling Bones

July 28 — The Dunehoppers

August 4 — Triple Rock Blues Band

August 6 — Mike Hart’s Decoy

August 11 — Big Pineapple

August 18 — The Grapes of Roth

August 25 — Rob Ellis Peck & Friends

September 1 — Lonesome Bert & The Skinny Lizards

All concerts are free and attendees should bring lounge chairs for seating. Picnic dinners are popular, but alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the Plaza.

MOVIES BY THE BAY

The FREE summer film series called Movies by the Bay will begin June 1 on the bayfront near the St. Augustine Municipal Marina and the downtown miniature golf course, next to the Bridge of Lions hosted by Ripley’s St. Augustine and the City of St. Augustine. Movies begin at 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday, from June 1 through Aug. 3. All movies are rated PG, with the exception of Pixels on June 29, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Aug. 3, both rate PG-13.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early and bring chairs and blankets for seating. Picnic food is welcome, but alcohol is prohibited.

Complimentary shuttles will be offered by the Red Trains nightly from 7:30 p.m. until 8:20 p.m. from the Red Train stop at the Visitors Information Center (in front of the parking garage), 10 Castillo Drive. Trolleys will pick up approximately every 20 minutes and return after the film.

*A Star Wars Party will begin at 7 p.m., with games, free mini golf, prizes, characters, and those attending are encouraged to wear Star Wars costumes!

NIGHT OWL CINEMA: FREE MOVIES AT THE ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE

From the St. Augustine Amphitheatre

St. Augustine, FL — Community First Credit Union (Community First) and the St. Augustine Amphitheatre proudly announce the return of the free, family-friendly Community First Night Owl Cinema Series.

Gates open at 7 p.m. and movies begin at 8 p.m. Parking at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre will be FREE on movie nights. Moviegoers will enjoy special family-friendly activities inspired by the featured movie’s theme and kids of all ages are welcome to come dressed in character.

MOVIE SCHEDULE

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

DATE: Friday, June 17

TIME: Gates open at 7 p.m., Movie starts at 8 p.m.

TICKETS: Event is free and open to the public! Ample free parking as well.

The Colonial Quarter hosts free Summer Concert Series at the Colonial Oak Stage, 33 Saint George St., downtown St. Augustine. Concerts are held Thursday through Sunday through the end of July. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, with Sunday concerts beginning at 12 p.m. (noon). Admission is FREE. Beverages will be available for purchase. See the concert schedule below … Go to colonialquarter.com or call 904-342-2857